Venerable Thubten Chodron

Venerable Chodron emphasizes the practical application of Buddha’s teachings in our daily lives and is especially skilled at explaining them in ways easily understood and practiced by Westerners. She is well known for her warm, humorous, and lucid teachings. She was ordained as a Buddhist nun in 1977 by Kyabje Ling Rinpoche in Dharamsala, India, and in 1986 she received bhikshuni (full) ordination in Taiwan. Read her full bio.

Read Full Bio

View Posts

Close-up of orange-colored face of smiling Buddha.
LR13 Bodhisattva Ethical Restraints

Commitments of aspiring bodhicitta

Generating the two types of bodhicitta: aspiring and engaging. How to protect our bodhicitta from…

View Post
Statue of a sitting Buddha.
LR12 Cultivating Bodhicitta

Advantages of cherishing others

Examining the disadvantages of self-centeredness and the many advantages of cherishing others.

View Post
Statue of a sitting Buddha.
LR12 Cultivating Bodhicitta

Disadvantages of self-centeredness

As we begin to work through our resistance to the practice of equalizing the self…

View Post
Statue of a sitting Buddha.
LR12 Cultivating Bodhicitta

Equalizing self and other

Equalizing self and other by examining them on the conventional and ultimate level.

View Post
Statue of a sitting Buddha.
LR12 Cultivating Bodhicitta

Generating bodhicitta

Concluding an exploration of the seven-point cause-and-effect meditation by looking at how compassion and the…

View Post
Statue of a sitting Buddha.
LR12 Cultivating Bodhicitta

Generating love and compassion

Continuing the exploration of the seven-point cause and effect meditation by looking at heart-warming love…

View Post
Statue of a sitting Buddha.
LR12 Cultivating Bodhicitta

Repaying the kindness of our mother

Continuing an exploration of the seven-point cause and effect meditation by looking at repaying the…

View Post
Statue of a sitting Buddha.
LR12 Cultivating Bodhicitta

The kindness of our mothers

Beginning an exploration of the seven-point cause and effect meditation by looking at how all…

View Post
Statue of a sitting Buddha.
LR12 Cultivating Bodhicitta

Bodhicitta: Advantages and prerequisites

More of the many advantages of bodhicitta as well as how to cultivate equanimity, a…

View Post
Statue of a sitting Buddha.
LR12 Cultivating Bodhicitta

The altruistic intention

An examination of the practices in common with advanced level practitioners starts by first considering…

View Post
Large Mahayana Buddha statue.
Texts to Recite and Contemplate

Praise of the Teacher, the Buddha, Through His 12 Deeds

An extended homage to Shakyamuni Buddha, describing his many activities in spreading the Dharma, from…

View Post
Image of Shakyamuni Buddha
Deity Meditation

Meditation on the Buddha

Step-by-step meditation on the Buddha. This includes reciting verses and contemplating good qualities you aspire…

View Post